SMITHFIELD, R.I. -- After being defeated in a competitive match against Holy Cross 3-0 (25-27, 23-25, 20-25) in the morning, UMES returned to the Chace Athletic Center and dominated Harvard 3-0 (25-18, 25-19, 25-16) to split on the day. On the season, UMES goes to 3-4.

UMES finishes the Bryant Invitational with a 2-1 record, tying the best tournament record with defeated opponent Harvard. Bryant and Holy Cross each finished 1-2.

An early 4-0 run to start the first game by Holy Cross was countered by UMES taking five of the next six points, two coming off service aces by Maline Vaitai (Salt Lake City, Utah) and Kaveinga Lea'Aetoa (Salt Lake City, Utah) for a 5-5 tie score. Each side continued to go on runs, with a late 3-0 run giving the Hawks a 23-22 lead. But the Crusaders took five of the next seven to edge out the Hawks 27-25 for a first set win.

UMES started the second set 3-1 with the Crusaders following up winning eight of nine points for a 9-4 Holy Cross lead. With the Crusaders leading 17-13, the Hawks put together a 4-0 run, including a pair of kills from Vaitai, to tie the score at 17. Though they kept it close, the Hawks could not get the lead, falling 25-23 to go down 2-0 in sets.

The Hawks got out to a good start in the third set, getting up 6-3 to begin with two kills from Saitaua Iosia (Long Beach, Calif.). Holy Cross took the lead with seven points in eight chances, which was countered by a UMES 4-0 run to put the Hawks up 11-10. The score would go back and forth, until UMES trailed 21-20. The Crusaders finished with a 4-0 run to take the set 25-20 and a match victory 3-0.

Returning for the late match against Harvard, UMES broke out immediately, taking eight of the first 11 points, capped by a third kill by Vaitai. The Crimson did not record a kill until the 22nd point against UMES. The Hawks built a nine point lead at 20-11 and took the first set 25-18.

Game number started differently, with an early 3-0 run by Harvard countered by five straight points won by the Hawks. The Crimson built back their lead 15-12 later in the set. UMES then took control with a 5-0 run, including three aces by Vaitai, sparking the Hawks to win 13 of 17 points to take the second set 25-19 and take a 2-0 match lead.

Neither side gained a strong edge early in the third game. With the score UMES 11 and Harvard 10, including five kills in that span by Iosia, the Hawks went on a 5-0 run, followed shortly thereafter by a 7-0 run to go up 24-12. The maroon and grey finished the set 25-16 for their first shutout match of the season. UMES ended the match with a hitting percentage of .309 to Harvard's .010.

Iosia and Vaitai were named to the All-Tournament Team for their performances over the past two days. Iosia earned her fourth and fifth double-doubles on Saturday, earning 13 kills and 17 digs against Holy Cross and 14 kills and 10 digs versus Harvard. She finishes with three double-doubles in as many matches in the invitational. Vaitai scored 13 kills in the morning match, following up with nine kills, five aces and 10 digs against the Crimson.

Lea'Aetoa finished the day with eight kills, three aces and 10 block assists. Jessie Vicic (Cambridge, Ontario, Canada) totaled 76 assists and 14 digs in the two matches.

For Holy Cross against UMES, eventual tournament MVP Megan Lynch scored a double-double of 15 kills and 14 digs. Setter Hannah Grace Stokes had 30 assists with six kills and three aces.

The Crimson were led by All-Tournament member Teresa Skelly, who had seven kills against the Hawks. Taylor Docter had four kills with six digs.

The Hawks return to Rhode Island next weekend for the Brown University Invitational in Providence where they will rematch against Bryant on Friday, September 16th at 4:30 p.m.